A FORMER governor at a Birmingham nursery school where the head was accused of force-feeding children believes she is the victim of a "witch-hunt".

Dr Mary McCarthy told a General Teaching Council disciplinary panel that both her children attended Bordesley Green East Nursery School during Pamela Baynes' tenure, and insisted: "My kids have very fond memories.

"Under her leadership, the nursery was a special place where kids blossomed in a nurtured environment.

"I never saw or heard Mrs Baynes mistreat a child.

"I never saw a child left in soiled clothing or her hurting a child."

"To her, the children's welfare was paramount. She ran the school in a traditional fashion and her methods arose for the best of the child."

Dr McCarthy, who chaired the nursery's board of governors at one time, suggested that Mrs Baynes was the victim of a witch-hunt spearheaded by several teaching staff.

"The staff have corroborated their statements to the police and investigators.

The hearing has been adjourned for the General Teaching Council to make a ruling on the charges.

Patricia Baynes, head at from 1983 to 2004, faces five charges relating to unacceptable professional conduct.

She is alleged to have demeaned or undermined children by assaulting them, subjecting them to inappropriate behaviour management and failing to take reasonable steps to ensure their safety and welfare.

Mrs Baynes, who retired after a civil investigation was launched in March 2004, was not present at the disciplinary hearing.

Bridget Ravenhall, a nursery nurse at the school since September 2001, said: "I have observed Patricia Baynes force-feed children until they vomit.

"I've witnessed children be forcibly dragged out of classes during her time, and children sit in her room for hours on end.

Fighting back tears, Mrs Ravenhall added: "I've seen children wet themselves because of fear from Mrs Baynes."